Picturebook Italy: a snapshot of all things Italian
From Venice to Rome
From Venice to Rome, Pisa to the Amalfi Coast, even if you've never set foot on Italian soil, there's every chance you've already fallen in love with Italy. Despite only being a unified country for around 165 years, it's easy to see why the boot of Europe attracts tens of millions of tourists a year, making it one of the most visited countries in the world. Home to some of the most iconic cities, with a unique culture and first-class cuisine featuring some of the world's favourite carbohydrates - including hundreds of different types of pasta - and, of course, pizza, a word understood almost everywhere on earth, Italy is clearly doing something right.
Browse our full range of Italy coach holidays to start planning your own trip.
Lake Garda
The largest lake in Italy and one of the most visited in the country, with its beautiful shorelines and quaint villages, even the Romans knew Lake Garda as a luxury summer destination. The town of Sirmione gives you the chance to visit the ruins left behind by this ancient powerhouse, including some inviting thermal spas. You cannot miss the thirteenth-century Rocca Scaligera - like something out of a fairy tale, you can head inside and take a look around, taking in the sights of Lake Garda. While Sirmione was once a town of great military importance, the only guarding of the fortress happening nowadays is done by the swans patrolling the castle moat - a lovely sight.
Explore the lake for yourself on our Lake Garda, Venice & Verona tour.
Siena
Heading into medieval Tuscany, to the stunning city of Siena. Famous for the Palio, where the various districts of the city challenge each other in a passionate horse race through its heart, the event also features in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace. This medieval Tuscan town is embroiled in an age-old rivalry with Florence - even tourists get involved, picking a side with their favourite of the two cities. Luckily, our tours often take in both, so you can pick your allegiance before heading home. In the heart of the city, the Piazza del Campo is the place to take in the true nature of what Siena has to offer. Sit back and enjoy a perfect espresso while admiring Siena's Gothic architecture - the Italians are famously serious about their coffee.
You can experience Siena for yourself on our Umbria Uncovered & Tuscan Delights tour, which takes in Assisi, Perugia, Florence and Siena.
Sorrento or Capri
While on the Amalfi Coast, why not visit beautiful Sorrento? It's often described as one of the most romantic spots in Italy. If you're not quite the romantic type, though, it's worth noting that Sorrento is also home to some of the best Limoncello you'll find anywhere. Made using the famous Sorrento lemons, you'll find almost every shop filled to the brim with the citrus tipple. Alternatively, you could head off to the island of Capri, where you can experience the beautiful Blue Grotto, a cave where an underwater cavity illuminates the water and lights the walls with a magical shade of blue, one of Europe's most striking natural wonders. A highlight of the Amalfi Coast is its picture-perfect views, with Mount Vesuvius dominating the horizon - one of Italy's most famous active volcanoes, alongside Mount Etna and Stromboli.
You can visit Sorrento and take the option to explore Capri on our Wonders of Rome & Pompeii tour.
Florence
Once home to the godfathers of the Renaissance, the Medici family, Florence is also the birthplace of the nurse and namesake, Florence Nightingale. Even today, Florence captures the hearts of many - Dan Brown set his novel Inferno in the city. The famous cathedral, Il Duomo, is certainly worth a visit. It took well over a century to build, and you can climb the stone steps to reach the cupola for a close-up look at the Last Judgement painting that covers the inner dome, or simply enjoy the view of this beautiful city from a wonderful vantage point. While appreciating the architecture, you can also admire the streets themselves; Florence is often credited as one of the first cities in Europe to pave its streets.
Discover the city for yourself on our Treasures of Tuscany tour, taking in Florence, Pisa and Elba.
Pisa
The Leaning Tower - its mind-boggling architecture seemingly defying gravity - is certainly the focal point for many visiting this town. Funnily enough, the tower once leant the other way. Shortly after building started, the soft soil began to give way; builders continued by piling on stonework to counterbalance the lean, only for it to slump in the opposite direction. The bell chamber that tops the tower is the only part built true, purposely constructed to help offset the lean. The construction troubles of nearly 850 years ago have given us one of the most recognisable pieces of architecture in the world.
Pisa features on our Treasures of Tuscany tour.
Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands
Reaching towards the Swiss border, Lake Maggiore certainly wouldn't look out of place on a postcard. We stop off at the town of Baveno, famed for its pink granite, which has been used in numerous well-known buildings around the world. Hop onto a boat and head out onto the lake to the Borromean Islands, each with its own charm. Isola Bella is an elegant island with a 17th-century castle, perfect for a budding historian. For a more laid-back time, Isola Pescatori is the only inhabited island, with a quaint village of shops, cafés and restaurants. Isola Madre features 19th-century English-style gardens and a palace filled with Italian masterpieces and paintings - together, the islands offer a perfect snapshot of Italian culture.
You can experience the lake on our Splendours of Lake Maggiore tour.
Of course, being topped off by visits to Rome and Venice, you're sure to have the perfect Italian tour, taking in much of what makes this country one of the most unique in the world.
**Take a look at our full Picturebook Italy itinerary to see prices and dates for this 12-day tour. **
